Image processing apparatus that displays device information and that executes jobs based on received setting setting information

ABSTRACT

An image processing device includes a controller, a device information generator that generates device information including identification information of the image processing device, and a job executor that executes a job at a predetermined setting based on setting information for job execution sent from a terminal device, wherein the controller displays the generated device information on the terminal device and, based on the setting information for job execution sent from the terminal device that read the displayed device information, controls the job executor to output the job at the predetermined setting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing device, and thelike.

Description of the Background Art

A multifunction peripheral capable of executing a plurality of modes,such as a print mode, a scan mode, a fax mode, and an e-mail mode, witha single device often includes an operation screen to receive theselection of a mode and the input/selection of a setting value for theselected mode.

Recently, a touch panel display including a display that presentsvarious types of information to a user and a touch panel that is placedon the display in a superimposed manner to detect the position pressedby the user's finger has been predominately adopted as an operationscreen. The user operates the touch panel while checking various typesof information presented on the display so as to intuitively and easilyselect the mode and input/select the setting value for the selectedmode.

With the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, there is an increasingdemand to avoid high frequency contact with an unspecified number ofpeople in order to reduce the risk of infection.

For example, operations via operation screens of shared multifunctionperipherals in workplaces and multipurpose multifunction peripheralsinstalled in convenience stores, etc. are no exception, and there is aneed for urgent measures to avoid high frequency contact.

As an example to avoid direct contact with an operation screen of amultifunction peripheral, etc., Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2013-25809 discloses the technique for generating adocument job without manually inputting information to a documentprocessing device such as a multifunction peripheral terminal.

The present disclosure has an object to provide an image processingdevice, and the like, capable of executing a job without direct contactwith an operation screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above disadvantage, an image processing device according tothe present disclosure includes a controller, a device informationgenerator that generates device information including identificationinformation of the image processing device, and a job executor thatexecutes a job at a predetermined setting based on setting informationfor job execution sent from a terminal device, wherein the controllerdisplays the generated device information on the terminal device and,based on the setting information for job execution sent from theterminal device that read the displayed device information, controls thejob executor to output the job at the predetermined setting.

An output system according to the present disclosure is an output systemfor a job including a terminal device, an image processing device, and anetwork service, wherein the terminal device includes a controller, anda device information acquirer that acquires device information includingidentification information for identifying the image processing device,and generates a user interface that receives a setting for job executionby the image processing device based on a request from the user andsends setting information for job execution set via the user interfaceand the acquired identification information to the network service, thenetwork service includes a controller, and a storage that stores thesetting information and the identification information in associationwith each other, and sends the setting information corresponding to theidentification information to the image processing device in response toa request from the image processing device, and the image processingdevice includes a controller, a device information generator thatgenerates the device information including the identificationinformation of the image processing device, and a job executor thatoutputs the job at a predetermined setting based on the settinginformation, and displays the generated device information on theterminal device and, based on the setting information sent from theterminal device that read the displayed device information, controls thejob executor to output the job at the predetermined setting.

A terminal device according to the present disclosure includes acontroller, and a device information acquirer that acquires deviceinformation including identification information for identifying animage processing device, wherein the controller generates a userinterface that receives a setting for an output method of a job by theimage processing device based on a request from the user, and sendssetting information set via the user interface and the acquiredidentification information to the network service.

An output method according to the present disclosure is an output methodof a job by an image processing device, including generating deviceinformation including identification information of an image processingdevice, and displaying the generated device information on a terminaldevice and, based on setting information for job execution sent from theterminal device that read the displayed device information, outputtingthe job at a predetermined setting.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an imageprocessing device, and the like, capable of executing a job withoutdirect contact with an operation screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an overall configurationof an output system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of amultifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating a configuration example of deviceinformation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of aterminal device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating a configuration example of a combinationof setting information and identification information sent by theterminal device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a networkservice according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a table illustrating a configuration example of a combinationof setting information and identification information stored by thenetwork service.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an overall process according to thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a multifunctionperipheral according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the terminal deviceaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the network serviceaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a displayscreen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a homescreen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a jobexecution screen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a jobcompletion screen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of anapplication screen displayed by the terminal device.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a copy jobexecution screen displayed by the terminal device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a scan jobexecution screen displayed by the terminal device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a deviceinformation acquisition screen displayed by the terminal device.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the terminal deviceaccording to a second embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a copy jobexecution screen displayed by the terminal device according to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of anapplication screen displayed by the terminal device according to a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of anapplication screen displayed by the terminal device according to thethird embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of themultifunction peripheral according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the multifunctionperipheral according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the multifunctionperipheral according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the multifunctionperipheral according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the multifunctionperipheral according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a loginscreen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of anotherlogin screen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a displayscreen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of anotherdisplay screen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a homescreen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a messagedisplay area displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a displayscreen displayed by the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of anapplication screen displayed by the terminal device.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the terminal deviceaccording to another mode.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of anapplication screen displayed by the terminal device.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of anapplication screen displayed by the terminal device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below withreference to the drawings. In the present disclosure, a multifunctionperipheral 10 capable of executing either a copy mode or a scan mode isdescribed as an example of an image processing device. The followingembodiments are examples for describing the present disclosure, and thetechnical scope set forth in the scope of claims is not limited to thedescription below.

1 First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configurationof an output system 100 according to a first embodiment. The outputsystem 100 includes the multifunction peripheral 10, a terminal device30, and a network service 50. In the output system 100 according to thefirst embodiment, an external authentication server (not illustrated),or the like, may be separately installed to perform user authenticationfor the multifunction peripheral 10.

The multifunction peripheral 10 is communicatively connected to thenetwork service 50 via a network (NW) illustrated in a solid line in thefigure. The terminal device 30 is communicatively connected to thenetwork service 50 via a network (NW). The terminal device 30 isconfigured to acquire device information described below from themultifunction peripheral 10 (a dotted line in the FIG.).

1.1 Functional Configuration 1.1.1 About Multifunction Peripheral 10

The multifunction peripheral 10 is an image processing device that, forexample, may scan a printed document and form an image on paper, whichis a recording medium, and thus output a printed material. Themultifunction peripheral 10 is also an image processing device that mayoutput electronic data in a predetermined format (e.g., portabledocument format (PDF)) based on scan data of a printed document. Theinput material is not limited to printed documents but may also beelectronic data input from, for example, external storage media orexternal devices.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of themultifunction peripheral 10. The multifunction peripheral 10 includes acontroller 11, a display 13, an operation inputter 15, an outputter 17,a communicator 19, and a storage 21.

The controller 11 controls the overall multifunction peripheral 10. Thecontroller 11 includes one or more arithmetic devices (such as centralprocessing units (CPUs)). The controller 11 reads and executes variousprograms stored in the storage 21 to perform its function.

The display 13 presents various types of information to a user, etc. Thedisplay 13 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) oran organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. The display 13 presentsdevice information including identification information described below.

The operation inputter 15 receives information input by the user, etc.The operation inputter 15 may include hardware keys (e.g., a numerickeypad), buttons, etc. The operation inputter 15 may be configured as atouch panel display that allows input via the display 13. In this case,examples of the input method to the touch panel display include aresistive method, infrared method, inductive method, and capacitivemethod.

The outputter 17 includes an image former 171 and an image reader 173.The image former 171 forms an image based on image data (image datagenerated by scanning a printed document or image data input from anexternal device) on paper, which is a recording medium, and outputs it.The image former 171 may include, for example, a laser printer using anelectrophotographic system. The image former 171 forms images by usingthe toners supplied from toner cartridges (not illustrated)corresponding to toner colors (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black).

The image reader 173 scans and reads the printed document (documentimage), which is the target to be read, to generate and output imagedata. The image reader 173 may be configured as a scanner deviceincluding an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or acontact image sensor (CIS). There is no limitation on the configurationof the image reader 173 as long as the image reader 173 is configured toread the reflected light image from the printed document with an imagesensor and thus output image data.

The communicator 19 includes either a wired or wireless interface orboth interfaces to communicate with other devices via a local areanetwork (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the Internet, telephone line,fax line, etc.

The storage 21 stores various programs needed for the operation of themultifunction peripheral 10 and various types of data. The storage 21may include a storage device such as a random access memory (RAM), ahard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), and a read only memory(ROM).

According to the first embodiment, the storage 21 stores an outputtercontrol program 211, a display processing program 213, a deviceinformation generation program 215, and a setting informationacquisition program 217 and ensures a device setting value storage area219.

The outputter control program 211 is a program read by the controller 11to control the outputter 17 such as the image former 171 and the imagereader 173. When the controller 11 acquires the setting informationdescribed below after reading the outputter control program 211, thecontroller 11 controls the outputter 17 based on the setting informationto perform print output by the image former 171 or image data output bythe image reader 173.

The display processing program 213 is a program read by the controller11 to perform display processing on the display 13 for, for example, thehome screen and the execution screen based on each mode. After readingthe display processing program 213, the controller 11 presents, on thedisplay 13, the display screen including the device information at anytime of device startup, recovery from a sleep mode, auto clear, and userlogin when an authentication mode is enabled. The auto clear accordingto the present disclosure is a process executed when a job itself iscanceled or when the input or selection of a setting value is canceled.Typically, auto clear may be executed by pressing an “auto clear button”(not illustrated), or the like, provided on the display screen.

The device information generation program 215 is a program read by thecontroller 11 to generate the device information including theidentification information of the multifunction peripheral 10. Thedevice information according to the present disclosure includes at leastitems related to the settings of the multifunction peripheral 10 thatare needed for inputting the setting information in the terminal device30 and items related to the connection to the network service 50 such asthe identification information of the multifunction peripheral 10 and asession key. After reading the device information generation program215, the controller 11 generates the above information as encodedinformation that is encoded using one or more of a quick response (QR)code, a barcode, a symbol, and an alphanumeric. The controller 11updates the device information on a regular or irregular basis. Forexample, the controller 11 may update the device information in order tocorrespond to a new function that is added when a driver program of themultifunction peripheral 10 is updated. Furthermore, the controller 11updates the device information when the information about the connectionto the network service 50 is updated or changed, when the installationlocation of the multifunction peripheral 10 is changed, etc.

Here, a configuration example of the device information according to thepresent disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . Thedevice information illustrated in FIG. 3 includes items such as “name”,“type”, and “version” as interface (I/F) related items, “color mode”,“punch”, “staple”, “optical character recognition (OCR)”, and the like,as MFP related items, and “device ID”, “session key”, “installationcountry”, and the like, as connection related items, which are describedin a specific format. The terminal device 30 may read and decode theencoded device information to acquire the device information. Theterminal device 30 may connect to the network service 50 based on theconnection related items (device ID, session key) of the acquired deviceinformation.

The device information items and their values illustrated in FIG. 3 areonly examples, and the device information according to the presentdisclosure is not limited to the description in FIG. 3 . For example,when an authentication operation for the multifunction peripheral 10 isneeded for a job execution instruction by the terminal device 30, thedevice information may include a personal identification number (PIN), aone-time password generated by a token, etc.

With reference back to FIG. 2 , the setting information acquisitionprogram 217 is a program read by the controller 11 to acquire thesetting information set in the terminal device 30 from the networkservice 50. After reading the setting information acquisition program217, the controller 11 executes for example a hypertext transferprotocol secure (HTTPS) long polling communication with the networkservice 50 and, when a job is sent from the terminal device 30 to themultifunction peripheral 10, acquires the setting information for thejob.

The device setting value storage area 219 is a storage area that storesthe device setting value regarding the generation of the deviceinformation. After reading the device information generation program215, the controller 11 reads the device setting value (e.g., “colormode”, “punch”, “staple”, and “OCR”) stored in the device setting valuestorage area 219 to generate the device information for the MFP relateditems.

1.1.2 About Terminal Device 30

The terminal device 30 according to the present disclosure may beconfigured as what is called a mobile terminal device, such as asmartphone, tablet, cell phone, or notebook computer. The terminaldevice 30 is configured as a device that has at least the function tointeract with a (graphical) user interface, the function forcommunications, and the function specific to the mobile terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of theterminal device 30. The terminal device 30 includes a controller 31, adisplay 33, an operation inputter 35, a device information acquirer 37,a communicator 39, and a storage 41.

The controller 31 controls the overall terminal device 30. Thecontroller 31 includes, for example, one or more arithmetic devices(CPUs, etc.), and the controller 31 reads and executes various programsstored in the storage 41 to perform its function.

The display 33 presents various types of information to the user, etc.The display 33 may include, for example, an LCD and an organic ELdisplay.

The operation inputter 35 receives information input by the user, etc.The operation inputter 35 may be configured as a touch panel displaythat allows input via the display 33. In this case, examples of theinput method to the touch panel display include a resistive method,infrared method, inductive method, and capacitive method.

The device information acquirer 37 acquires the device information(encoded information) presented on the display 13 of the multifunctionperipheral 10. Examples of the device information acquirer 37 include animaging device such as a camera and a scanning device using a laserbeam. There is no particular limitation on the configuration of thedevice information acquirer 37 as long as the device informationacquirer 37 may acquire the device information of the multifunctionperipheral 10, and may acquire the device information by using wirelesscommunications (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth(registered trademark), and infrared rays). The device informationacquirer 37 does not need to be directly included in the terminal device30 but may be an external device having, for example, an imagingfunction, scanning function, etc.

The communicator 39 includes either a wired or wireless interface orboth interfaces to communicate with other devices via a LAN, WAN, theInternet, telephone line, etc.

The storage 41 stores various programs needed for operations of theterminal device 30 and various types of data. The storage 41 may includea storage device such as a RAM, HDD, SSD, and ROM.

According to the first embodiment, the storage 41 stores a deviceinformation acquisition program 411, a display processing program 413,and a setting information generation program 415 and ensures a deviceinformation storage area 417 and a setting value storage area 419.

The device information acquisition program 411 is a program read by thecontroller 11 to acquire the device information of the multifunctionperipheral 10. After reading the device information acquisition program411, the controller 31 controls the device information acquirer 37 toacquire the device information.

The display processing program 413 is a program read by the controller31 to present, on the display 33, a user interface, and the like, whichreceives the selection of a job mode to be executed by the multifunctionperipheral 10 and the input and selection of a setting value.

The setting information generation program 415 is a program read by thecontroller 31 to generate the setting information based on the settingvalue input and selected via the user interface presented on the display33. After reading the setting information generation program 415, thecontroller 31 generates the setting information from various settingvalues that are input and selected via the user interface and stored inthe setting value storage area 419. Then, the controller 31 sends thegenerated setting information together with the identificationinformation (device ID) of the multifunction peripheral 10 to thenetwork service 50.

Here, FIG. 5 is a table illustrating a configuration example of acombination of the setting information and the identificationinformation (device ID) sent by the terminal device 30 to the networkservice 50. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of sending of the combinationof the setting information including a group of “mode”, “number ofcopies”, “feed tray”, “two-sided copy”, “180-degree rotation of backsurface orientation”, “color mode”, “punch”, and “staple” input andselected via the user interface and “jv6Ou3QBGv8w6yNtGt” as theidentification information (device ID) of the multifunction peripheral10.

With reference back to FIG. 4 , the device information storage area 417is a storage area for storing the device information acquired from themultifunction peripheral 10. The setting value storage area 419 is astorage area for storing the setting value input and selected by theuser via the user interface.

1.1.3 About Network Service 50

The network service 50 is a computing system, what is called a cloud,which provides a predetermined service such as processing resources,storage resources, and delivery resources through, for example, a webbrowser. The service provided by the network service 50 may be used byusing any data communication protocol such as a transfer controlprotocol, Internet protocol, and other protocols and accessing from themultifunction peripheral 10 or the terminal device 30 via the network(NW). The network service 50 includes one or more network devices 50 aas hardware. In the following description, when no special hardwareconfiguration is described, the network service 50 will be simplyreferred to.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of thenetwork device 50 a included in the network service 50. The networkdevice 50 a includes a controller 51, a display 53, an operationinputter 55, a communicator 57, and a storage 59.

The controller 51 controls the overall network service 50. Thecontroller 51 includes, for example, one or more arithmetic devices(CPUs, etc.), and the controller 51 reads and executes various programsstored in the storage 59 to perform its function.

The display 53 presents various types of information to the user, etc.The display 53 may include, for example, an LCD and an organic ELdisplay.

The operation inputter 55 receives information input by the user, etc.An input device such as a keyboard and a mouse may be used as theoperation inputter 55.

The communicator 57 includes either a wired or wireless interface orboth interfaces to communicate with other devices via a LAN, WAN, theInternet, telephone line, etc.

The storage 59 stores various programs needed for operations of thenetwork service 50 and various types of data. The storage 59 may includea storage device such as a RAM, HDD, SSD, and ROM.

According to the first embodiment, the storage 59 stores a terminaldevice authentication program 591 and a setting information sendingprogram 593 and ensures an identification information/settinginformation storage area 595.

The terminal device authentication program 591 is a program read by thecontroller 51 to authenticate the connection with the terminal device30. After reading the terminal device authentication program 591, thecontroller 51 authenticates the connection with the terminal device 30based on the session key sent together when the identificationinformation and the setting information are sent from the terminaldevice 30.

The setting information sending program 593 is a program read by thecontroller 51 to send the setting information to the multifunctionperipheral 10. After reading the setting information sending program593, the controller 51 searches for the job ID attached to theidentification information (device ID) on the multifunction peripheral10 in response to the HTTPS long polling from the multifunctionperipheral 10. When the setting information is associated with the jobID, the connection is established with the multifunction peripheral 10and the setting information is sent.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the identification information/settinginformation storage area 595 is a storage area in which the controller51 associates the identification information with the settinginformation of the multifunction peripheral 10 sent from the terminaldevice 30, then attaches the job ID to them, and stores them. Thecontroller 51 uses the job ID to manage the information in which theidentification information (device ID) is associated with the settinginformation. The job ID may also be assigned by the terminal device 30.In this case, the terminal device 30 may associate the identificationinformation with the setting information of the multifunction peripheral10, then attach the job ID to them, and send them to the network service50. The controller 51 stores the identification information and thesetting information of the multifunction peripheral 10 with the job IDattached thereto in the identification information/setting informationstorage area 595.

1.2 Process Flow 1.2.1 Overall Process

Next, the overall process according to the first embodiment will bedescribed using the flowchart in FIG. 8 . First, the multifunctionperipheral 10 presents, on the display 13, the display screen includingthe device information at any time of device startup, recovery from thesleep mode, auto clear, and user login when the authentication mode isenabled (Step S10).

The user sets the (printed) document in the multifunction peripheral 10and inputs the instruction for starting the job application in theterminal device 30 (Step S100). The terminal device 30 starts the jobapplication in response to the instruction for starting the jobapplication (Step S102).

The user selects the job to be executed by the multifunction peripheral10 via the user interface presented on the display 33 and inputs andselects the setting value for the selected job (Step S104).

The terminal device 30 receives the setting value for which the inputinstruction has been received and stores the setting value in thesetting value storage area 419 (Step S106).

The user presses the start key (Step S108). After the start key ispressed, the controller 31 of the terminal device 30 reads the deviceinformation acquisition program 411 to acquire the device informationpresented on the display 13 of the multifunction peripheral 10 (StepS110).

The terminal device 30 generates the setting information from varioussetting values stored in the setting value storage area 419 and sendsthe setting information to the network service 50 together with theidentification information of the multifunction peripheral 10 (StepS112).

The network service 50 associates the identification information withthe setting information of the multifunction peripheral 10 sent from theterminal device 30 and then attaches the job ID thereto, and stores themin the identification information/setting information storage area 595(Step S114).

The multifunction peripheral 10 executes HTTPS long polling with thenetwork service 50 and inquires whether the setting informationcorresponding to the identification information of the multifunctionperipheral 10 exists (Step S116).

When the setting information corresponding to the identificationinformation of the multifunction peripheral 10 exists, the networkservice 50 establishes a connection with the multifunction peripheral 10and sends the setting information (Step S118).

The multifunction peripheral 10 executes the job based on the receivedsetting information (Step S120).

1.2.2 About Process of Multifunction Peripheral 10

Next, the process of the multifunction peripheral 10 will be describedusing the flowchart in FIG. 9 . The controller 11 of the multifunctionperipheral 10 determines whether the device status is device startup orrecovery from the sleep mode (Step S200).

When it is determined that it is device startup or recovery from thesleep mode, the controller 11 performs a device startup process (StepS200; Yes→Step S210).

Conversely, when it is determined that it is not device startup orrecovery from the sleep mode, the controller 11 determines whether it isthe input of auto clear (Step S200; No→Step S220).

When it is determined that it is the input of auto clear, the controller11 proceeds to the process at Step S230 (Step S220; Yes→Step S230).Conversely, when it is determined that it is not the input of autoclear, the controller 11 proceeds to the process at Step S300.

After the device startup process at Step S210, the controller 11determines whether, for example, the driver program, information aboutthe connection to the network service 50, etc. have been updated (StepS230). When there is updated information, etc., the controller 11 readsthe device information generation program 215 to update the deviceinformation based on the updated information (Step S230; Yes→Step S240).

Then, the controller 11 reads the display processing program 213 topresent the display screen including the device information updated atStep S230 on the display 13 (Step S250).

Conversely, when there is no updated information, etc., the controller11 does not update the device information, but presents the deviceinformation on the display 13 (Step S230; No→Step S250).

Subsequently, the controller 11 determines whether a “close button”provided on the display screen including the device information has beenpressed (Step S260). When the “close button” has not been pressed, thecontroller 11 makes a request to acquire the setting information (StepS260; No→Step S270). Specifically, the controller 11 reads the settinginformation acquisition program 217 to perform an HTTPS pollingcommunication with the network service 50. The HTTPS pollingcommunication with the network service 50 may be performed before thepressing of the “close button” for Step S260 is received, and forexample may be performed continuously after the device startup processat Step S210.

Then, the controller 11 determines whether the setting information hasbeen acquired (Step S280). After acquiring the setting information fromthe network service 50, the controller 11 executes the job based on theacquired setting information and ends the process (Step S280; Yes→StepS290). When no setting information is acquired from the network service50 for a certain period of time after the user login while theauthentication mode is enabled, the controller 11 may automaticallyperform a logout process. Thus, automatic logout may preventunauthorized use when an unattended state such as a non-operating statecontinues while user authentication is enabled.

When the “close button” is pressed, the controller 11 displays the homescreen (Step S260; Yes→Step S300). In this case, the controller 11 doesnot output a job based on the setting information sent from the terminaldevice 30 and acquired via the network service 50.

Then, the controller 11 determines whether the instruction for executinga job has been received via the home screen (Step S310). When it isdetermined that the instruction for executing a job has been input bythe user via the home screen, the controller 11 executes the job andends the process (Step S310; Yes→Step S320).

1.2.3 About Process of Terminal Device 30

Next, the process of the terminal device 30 will be described using theflowchart in FIG. 10 . The controller 31 of the terminal device 30determines whether the instruction for starting the job application hasbeen received from the user (Step S400).

When it is determined that the instruction for starting the jobapplication has been received, the controller 31 reads the displayprocessing program 413 to present the application screen as a userinterface on the display 33 (Step S400; Yes→Step S410).

Subsequently, the controller 31 determines whether a copy job has beenselected by the user via the application screen (Step S420). When it isdetermined that a copy job has been selected by the user, the controller31 displays a copy job execution screen on the display 33 (Step S420;Yes→Step S430). Conversely, when it is determined that a copy job hasnot been selected by the user, the controller 31 displays a scan jobexecution screen on the display 33 (Step S420; No→Step S440).

The controller 31 receives the input of a setting value via either thecopy job execution screen displayed at Step S430 or the scan jobexecution screen displayed at Step S440 (Step S450). Then, thecontroller 31 stores the received setting value in the setting valuestorage area 419 (Step S460).

The controller 31 determines whether the “start button” has been pressedby the user (Step S470). When it is determined that the “start button”has been pressed by the user, the controller 31 acquires the deviceinformation from the multifunction peripheral 10 (Step S470; Yes→StepS480 a). Specifically, after the start key is pressed, the controller 31reads the device information acquisition program 411 to acquire thedevice information presented on the display 13 of the multifunctionperipheral 10 (Step S480 a).

Subsequently, the controller 31 reads the setting information generationprogram 415 to generate the setting information from various settingvalues stored in the setting value storage area 419 (Step S480 b). Then,the controller 31 sends the generated setting information to the networkservice 50 together with the identification information of themultifunction peripheral 10 and ends the process (Step S490).

1.2.4 About Process of Network Service 50

Next, the process of the network service 50 will be described using theflowchart in FIG. 11 . The controller 51 of the network service 50determines whether the identification information and the settinginformation have been acquired from the terminal device 30 (Step S500).In this case, the controller 51 may read the terminal deviceauthentication program 591 and determines whether the identificationinformation and the setting information have been acquired depending onwhether the connection with the terminal device 30 has beenauthenticated.

When it is determined that the identification information and thesetting information have been acquired from the terminal device 30, thecontroller 51 associates the identification information and the settinginformation and then attaches the job ID thereto, and stores them in theidentification information/setting information storage area 595 (StepS500; Yes→Step S510).

Subsequently, the controller 51 determines whether a request to acquirethe setting information has been received from the multifunctionperipheral 10 (Step S520). When it is determined that a request toacquire the setting information has been received from the multifunctionperipheral 10, the controller 51 determines whether the settinginformation corresponding to the identification information of themultifunction peripheral 10 is stored (Step S520; Yes→Step S530). Inthis case, the controller 51 searches for the job ID attached to theidentification information (device ID) of the multifunction peripheral10 in response to an HTTPS long polling from the multifunctionperipheral 10. When the setting information is associated with the jobID, the controller 51 determines that the setting informationcorresponding to the identification information of the multifunctionperipheral 10 is stored.

When the setting information corresponding to the identificationinformation is stored, the controller 51 establishes a connection withthe multifunction peripheral 10 (Step S530; Yes→Step S540). Then, thecontroller 51 reads the setting information sending program 593 to sendthe setting information as a job to the multifunction peripheral 10 andends the process (Step S550).

1.3 Operation Example

Next, an operation example according to the first embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 12 illustrates a configuration example of a displayscreen W10 that is presented on the display 13 by the multifunctionperipheral 10. This operation example corresponds to the process at StepS250 in FIG. 9 , and the display screen W10 is displayed at any time ofdevice startup, recovery from the sleep mode, auto clear, and user loginwhen the authentication mode is enabled.

The display screen W10 includes an operation procedure display area R10and a close button B10. The operation procedure display area R10 is anarea for describing the operation procedure of the output methodaccording to the first embodiment through illustrations or animations.In the example illustrated in FIG. 12 , the operation procedure isdescribed in the following order: (1) set a document, (2) settings withthe terminal device, and (3) execute a job.

The operation procedure display area R10 includes a device informationdisplay area R11 that displays the device information of themultifunction peripheral 10. In the example described according to thefirst embodiment, a quick response (QR) code is used as encodedinformation representing the device information. The QR code (registeredtrademark) is a two-dimensional code representing data in a graphicalform. In addition to the QR code, information encoded using one or moreof a barcode, a symbol, and an alphanumeric may also be used as thedevice information.

The terminal device 30 may read the QR code with an imaging device suchas a camera or a scanning device using a laser light to execute a job.

The close button B10 is a button that is pressed when the user desiresto execute a job via the normal home screen without using the outputmethod according to the present disclosure. When the close button B10 ispressed, the controller 11 presents the home screen described in thesubsequent figure on the display 13.

FIG. 13 illustrates a configuration example of a home screen W20according to the first embodiment. This operation example corresponds tothe process at Step S300 of FIG. 9 . The home screen W20 is, forexample, a basic screen that receives the user's selection of a job andselection of various function displays. The home screen W20 includes ajob/function selection button B12, a display forward button B16, and ajob status button B18.

The job/function selection button B12 receives the selection of the job,function display, etc., desired by the user. For example, when the userpresses an “easy copy” button on the job/function selection button B12,the controller 11 displays a job execution screen (not illustrated) forsetting the “easy copy”. The job/function selection button B12 accordingto the first embodiment also includes a remote operation button B14 toshift the screen to the display screen W10 illustrated in FIG. 12 . Whenthe user presses the remote operation button B14, the controller 11shifts the screen display to the display screen W10 so as to enable theuse of the output method according to the present disclosure. Thedisplay configuration example of the job/function selection button B12in FIG. 13 is only an example, and job and function display buttons thatare not displayed may be displayed by pressing the display forwardbutton B16.

The job status button B18 receives an instruction input for notifyingthe progress status of the job executed by the multifunction peripheral10, the reservation status, etc. When the user presses the job statusbutton B18, the controller 11 presents the progress status of the job,the reservation status, etc., which are not illustrated.

FIG. 14 illustrates a configuration example of an execution screenpresented on the display 13 when the multifunction peripheral 10 hasreceived the setting information from the network service 50 and isexecuting the job based on the setting information. This operationexample corresponds to the process at Step S290 of FIG. 9 . An executionscreen W30 includes a message display area R12 indicating that the jobis being executed and an execution job display area R14 displaying thetype of job being executed (copy job in the example of FIG. 14 ) by anillustration or animation.

FIG. 15 illustrates a configuration example of a completion screenpresented on the display 13 when the multifunction peripheral 10 hascompleted the job. This operation example corresponds to the processafter Step S290 in FIG. 9 . A completion screen W40 includes a messagedisplay area R16 indicating that the job has been completed and acompletion job display area R18 displaying the completion of the job byillustration or animation.

FIG. 16 illustrates a configuration example of an application screenthat is presented on the display 33 after the instruction for startingthe job application is received from the user. This operation examplecorresponds to the process from Step S400 to Step S410 in FIG. 10 . Anapplication screen W50 includes a menu display area R20 and a favoritelist display area R22.

The menu display area R20 includes a copy job selection button B20 and ascan job selection button B22. The copy job selection button B20receives the user's selection of a copy job. When the pressing of thecopy job selection button B20 is received, the controller 31 maydetermine that the copy job has been selected by the user. When thepressing of the copy job selection button B20 is received, thecontroller 31 displays the copy job execution screen on the display 33.

Conversely, the scan job selection button B22 receives the user'sselection of a scan job. When the pressing of the scan job selectionbutton B22 is received, the controller 31 may determine that the scanjob has been selected by the user. When the pressing of the scan jobselection button B22 is received, the controller 31 displays the scanjob execution screen on the display 33.

The favorite list display area R22 displays items that are frequentlyused by the user in a list format. The ascending and descending orderdisplay of the favorite list may be switched by a sort button B24.

FIG. 17 illustrates a configuration example of the copy job executionscreen presented on the display 33 when the copy job is selected by theuser. This operation example corresponds to the process at Step S420,S430, and S450 of FIG. 10 . A copy job execution screen W60 a includes asetting value setting area R24 and a start button B26.

The setting value setting area R24 receives the input and selection ofthe setting value for job execution. The setting value may be input andselected as each setting value for a copy job, such as “number ofcopies”, “feed tray”, “two-sided copy”, “180-degree rotation of backsurface orientation”, and “color mode”.

For example, a copy job execution screen W60 b is a configurationexample of a number of copies setting screen that is displayed when thesetting value of “number of copies” is selected by a tap operation, etc.The copy job execution screen W60 b includes a modal M10 that receivesthe input of the setting value of the number of copies and a settingvalue input button B28.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 , when the modal M10 is displayed, thecontroller 31 displays other setting values in gray and puts arestriction so as not to input the setting value. The user inputs thenumber of copies by using the setting value input button B28. After thepredetermined number of copies is input, a “set” button is pressed sothat the setting value for the number of copies may be confirmed. Whenthe “set” or “cancel” button is pressed, the screen returns to the copyjob execution screen W60 a.

FIG. 18 illustrates a configuration example of the scan job executionscreen displayed on the display 33 when the scan job is selected by theuser. This operation example corresponds to the process at Steps S420,S440, and S450 of FIG. 10 . A scan job execution screen W70 a includes asetting value setting area R26 and the start button B26.

The setting value setting area R26 receives the input and selection ofthe setting value for job execution. The setting value may be input andselected as each setting value for the scan job, such as “enteraddress”, “send to myself”, “reading settings”, “image orientation”, and“color mode”.

For example, a scan job execution screen W70 b is a configurationexample of a destination setting screen for sending to myself that isdisplayed when the setting value of “send to myself” is selected by atap operation, etc. as the setting value. The scan job execution screenW70 b includes a modal M12 that receives input of the setting value forsending to myself and a setting value input button B30.

As illustrated in FIG. 18 , when the modal M12 is displayed, thecontroller 31 displays other setting values in gray and puts arestriction so as not to input the setting value. The user uses thesetting value input button B30 to input the sending destination forsending to myself. After the predetermined sending destination is input,a “set” button is pressed so that the setting value for the sendingdestination may be confirmed. When the “set” or “cancel” button ispressed, the screen returns to the scan job execution screen W70 a.

FIG. 19 illustrates a configuration example of a device informationacquisition screen displayed by the controller 31 to acquire the deviceinformation that is being displayed in the multifunction peripheral 10after the start button B26 is pressed on the copy job execution screenW60 a in FIG. 17 or the scan job execution screen W70 a in FIG. 18 . Adevice information acquisition screen W80 a includes a deviceinformation acquisition area R28 and a status display area R30.

As illustrated in FIG. 19 , the device information acquisition area R28may be configured as a guideline to guide the user such that, when thedevice information to be acquired is encoded information such as a QRcode, the encoded information falls within a reading area of the imagingdevice or the scanning device. The user operates the terminal device 30such that the encoded information such as a QR code falls within thedevice information acquisition area R28. When the device information isacquired, the controller 31 shifts the device information acquisitionscreen W80 a to a device information acquisition screen W80 b.

The status display area R30 is an area for displaying the progressstatus (status) of the operation or job to the user. For example, thestatus display area R30 of the device information acquisition screen W80a is an example of displaying a message indicating that the QR code isto be read while the QR code falls within the device informationacquisition area R28.

After the encoded information such as the QR code is read, a statusdisplay area R32 on the device information acquisition screen W80 bdisplays a message indicating that the job (setting information) isbeing sent to the multifunction peripheral 10.

After the sending of the job to the multifunction peripheral 10 iscompleted, the controller 31 shifts the display screen to a deviceinformation acquisition screen W80 c. On the device informationacquisition screen W80 c, a status display area R34 displays a messageindicating that the sending of the job is completed.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the setting valuefor the job to be executed by the image processing device may be set onthe terminal device, and therefore the job may be executed withoutdirect contact with the operation screen of the image processing device.

2 Second Embodiment

According to the first embodiment, the device information is acquiredafter the setting information is set. A second embodiment differs fromthe first embodiment in that the setting information is set after thedevice information is acquired.

A functional configuration according to the second embodiment may be thesame as that in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same configurationas that in the first embodiment is denoted by the same referencenumeral, and the description thereof is omitted.

The process of the multifunction peripheral 10 and the process of thenetwork service 50 may be the same as those in the first embodiment, andtherefore the description here is omitted.

The process of the terminal device 30 will be described using theflowchart in FIG. 20 . The controller 31 of the terminal device 30determines whether the instruction for starting the job application hasbeen received from the user (Step S600). When it is determined that theinstruction for starting the job application has been received, thecontroller 31 reads the display processing program 412 to display theapplication screen as a user interface on the display 33 (Step S600;Yes→Step S610).

The controller 31 acquires the device information from the multifunctionperipheral 10 (Step S680 a).

Subsequently, the controller 31 determines whether a copy job has beenselected by the user via the application screen (Step S620). When it isdetermined that a copy job has been selected by the user, the controller31 displays the copy job execution screen on the display 33 (Step S620;Yes→Step S630). Conversely, when it is determined that a copy job hasnot been selected by the user, the controller 31 displays the scan jobexecution screen on the display 33 (Step S620; No→Step S640).

The controller 31 receives the input of the setting value via either thecopy job execution screen displayed at Step S630 or the scan jobexecution screen displayed at Step S640 (Step S650). Here, based on thedevice information acquired at Step S680 a, the controller 31 disablesthe input and selection of the setting value for a function that cannotbe performed by the multifunction peripheral 10.

Then, the controller 31 stores the received setting value in the settingvalue storage area 419 (Step S660).

The controller 31 determines whether the “start button” has been pressedby the user (Step S670). When it is determined that the “start button”has been pressed by the user, the controller 31 generates the settinginformation from various setting values stored in the setting valuestorage area 419 (Step S680 b). Then, the controller 31 sends thegenerated setting information to the network service 50 together withthe identification information of the multifunction peripheral 10 andends the process (Step S690).

FIG. 21 illustrates a configuration example of the copy job executionscreen presented on the display 33 when the copy job is selected by theuser. This operation example corresponds to Steps S620, S630, and S650of FIG. 20 . A copy job execution screen W60 c includes the settingvalue setting area R24 and the start button B26.

The configurations and functions of the setting value setting area R24and the start button B26 on the copy job execution screen W60 c are thesame as those in the copy job execution screen W60 a illustrated in FIG.17 . However, on the copy job execution screen W60 c according to thesecond embodiment, the setting value for the function that cannot beperformed by the multifunction peripheral 10 (e.g., “180-degree rotationof the back surface orientation”) is displayed in dark so as not to beinput or selected based on the previously acquired device information.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition tothe effect of the first embodiment, the function inexecutable by theimage processing device, which is to execute the job, is displayed so asnot to be input or selected in advance, and therefore it is possible toeliminate the time and effort required to set the inexecutable settingvalue.

3 Third Embodiment

In the description according to the first embodiment and the secondembodiment, the invention according to the present disclosure is appliedto the multifunction peripheral. In the description according to a thirdembodiment, either the multifunction peripheral or the display devicemay be selected.

A functional configuration according to the third embodiment may be thesame as that in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.Therefore, the same configuration as that in the first embodiment or thesecond embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral, and thedescription thereof is omitted. The description of a common point in theprocessing flow is also omitted.

The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment or thesecond embodiment in the configuration of the application screenpresented on the display 33 at Step S410 of FIG. 10 or Step S610 of FIG.20 .

FIG. 22 is a configuration example of an application screen presented onthe display 33 by the controller 31 according to the third embodiment.An application screen W51 includes a menu display area R36 and afavorite list display area R22.

The menu display area R36 includes a multifunction peripheral selectionbutton B32 and a display device selection button B34. The multifunctionperipheral selection button B32 receives the selection of themultifunction peripheral by the user. When the pressing of themultifunction peripheral selection button B32 is received, thecontroller 31 determines that the multifunction peripheral has beenselected by the user. When the pressing of the multifunction peripheralselection button B32 is received, the controller 31 displays theapplication screen W50 for the multifunction peripheral illustrated inFIG. 16 on the display 33.

Conversely, the display device selection button B34 receives theselection of the display device by the user. When the pressing of thedisplay device selection button B34 is received, the controller 31determines that the display device has been selected by the user. Whenthe pressing of the display device selection button B34 is received, thecontroller 31 displays an application screen (not illustrated) for thedisplay device on the display 33.

When there is a plurality of multifunction peripherals or displaydevices selected via the application screen W51, a selection screen maybe provided to further receive the selection of the output devicedesired by the user. FIG. 23 illustrates a configuration example of anapplication screen W52 including a menu display area R38 prompting theuser to further select the multifunction peripheral when the userselects the multifunction peripheral as an output device on theapplication screen W51 and there is a plurality of multifunctionperipherals (MFP1 to MFP3) that may execute the job.

The user may select the desired multifunction peripheral from aplurality of existing multifunction peripherals via the applicationscreen W52.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is possible toselect the display device other than the multifunction peripheral asanother output device while the same effect as that in the firstembodiment or the second embodiment may be obtained. Furthermore, eventhough a plurality of output devices (multifunction peripherals) isavailable, the user may easily select the output device that is toexecute the job.

4 Fourth Embodiment

According to a fourth embodiment, the output of the job is controlledbased on a user authentication result.

4.1 Functional Configuration 4.1.1 About Multifunction Peripheral 90

The functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral accordingto the fourth embodiment may be substantially the same as that of themultifunction peripheral 10 according to the first embodiment.Therefore, the same configuration as that of the multifunctionperipheral 10 according to the first embodiment is denoted by the samereference numeral, the description is omitted, and the different partsare described.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of amultifunction peripheral 90 according to the fourth embodiment. Themultifunction peripheral 90 includes an authentication informationacquirer 23 and a storage 91 instead of the storage 21 included in themultifunction peripheral 10.

The authentication information acquirer 23 acquires authenticationinformation for user authentication. The authentication informationacquirer 23 may be configured as a card reader that reads an ID(identity/identification) card, such as an IC (integrated circuit) cardor a magnetic card, which has been distributed to the user. When the IDcard is a contactless IC card, the card reader is a contactless IC cardreader. The authentication information acquirer 23 reads the ID card toacquire the user authentication information (user identificationinformation, connection ID, etc.) recorded on the ID card. Theauthentication information acquirer 23 is not limited to a card reader,and its configuration is not particularly limited as long as theauthentication information acquirer 23 may perform communications via ashort-range wireless communication protocol such as Wi-Fi (registeredtrademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared, Near FieldCommunication (NFC), or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), andacquire the authentication information for user authentication.Furthermore, an imaging device such as a scanner device or a camera maybe included to support biometric authentication such as fingerprintauthentication and face authentication.

According to the fourth embodiment, the storage 91 stores the outputtercontrol program 211, the display processing program 213, the deviceinformation generation program 215, the setting information acquisitionprogram 217, and an authentication program 911 and ensures the devicesetting value storage area 219.

The authentication program 911 is a program read by the controller 11 toauthenticate the user who logs into the multifunction peripheral 90.After reading the authentication program 911, when the authenticationfunction is on, the controller 11 performs user authentication based onthe authentication information received via the authenticationinformation acquirer 23 and the login screen described below. The userauthentication may be performed by biometric authentication, etc., inaddition to property authentication via the authentication informationacquirer 23 and knowledge authentication such as the combination of thelogin user name and the login password.

As the functional configurations of the terminal device 30 and thenetwork service 50 may be substantially the same as those in the firstembodiment, the description here is omitted.

4.2 Process Flow

As the overall process according to the fourth embodiment, the processregarding the terminal device 30, and the process regarding the networkservice 50 may be substantially the same as those in the firstembodiment, the description here is omitted.

4.2.1 About Process of Multifunction Peripheral 90

The process of the multifunction peripheral 90 will be described usingthe flowchart in FIG. 25 . The process that may be the same as theprocess described in the flowchart of FIG. 9 according to the firstembodiment is denoted by the same step number and its description isomitted. The process described in FIG. 25 is different from the processdescribed in FIG. 9 in that a login (user authentication) process isperformed after the device startup process at Step S210 and the processreturns to Step S260 when no setting information is obtained at StepS280. This is described below.

At Step S210, after the device startup process ends, the controller 11reads the authentication program 911 to perform the login process(authentication process) (Step S330). After the login process ends, thecontroller 11 proceeds to the process at Step S230. The login processwill be described in FIG. 26 .

When no setting information is acquired from the network service 50 atStep S280, the controller 11 returns to the process at Step S260. Then,the controller 11 executes the process at Step S260 and subsequentsteps.

Next, the login process (authentication process) for Step S330 in FIG.25 will be described. Here, a description is given using FIGS. 26 to 28in accordance with the mode that may be made when the authenticationresult indicates unauthenticated.

4.2.2 About Mode to Repeat Authentication Process when AuthenticationResult Indicates Unauthenticated

The mode to repeat the authentication process when the authenticationresult indicates unauthenticated will be described using the flowchartin FIG. 26 .

When the login process is started, the controller 11 determines whetherthe authentication mode is enabled (ON) or disabled (OFF) (Step S3310).In this case, the controller 11 refers to the setting value forenabling/disabling the authentication mode, which have been previouslyset via for example the system settings to determine whether theauthentication mode is enabled or disabled.

When it is determined that the authentication mode is enabled, thecontroller 11 starts a preparation to receive the authenticationinformation (Step S3310; Yes→Step S3320). In this case, the controller11 initializes the authentication information acquirer 23 and displaysthe login screen described below on the display 13 to thus stand by forthe input of the authentication information by the user.

Conversely, when it is determined that the authentication mode isdisabled, the controller 11 ends the login process (Step S3310; No). Atthe end of the login process, the controller 11 may display a messageindicating that the process has ended on the display 13 as theauthentication mode is disabled.

When the preparation has been made for the input of the authenticationinformation, the controller 11 determines whether the authenticationinformation has been input by the user (Step S3320→Step S3330).

When it is determined that the authentication information has been inputvia the authentication information acquirer 23 or the login screen, thecontroller 11 receives the input authentication information (Step S3330;Yes→Step S3340). Conversely, when it is determined that theauthentication information has not been input, the controller 11 waitsuntil the authentication information is input (Step S3330; No).

When the input authentication information is received, the controller 11performs the authentication process for the received authenticationinformation (Step S3340→Step S3350). For example, when theauthentication process is performed based on the authenticationinformation input via the login screen, the controller 11 previouslystores the login user name and the login password in association witheach other. Then, user authentication may be performed by checking thelogin user name and the login password as the authentication informationinput via the login screen.

When it is determined that the authentication is successful, thecontroller 11 ends the login process (Step S3350; Yes). Then, thecontroller 11 proceeds to the process at Step S230 in FIG. 25 .

Conversely, when it is determined that the authentication has failed,the controller 11 returns to the process at Step S3330 and repeatedlyreceives the input of the authentication information until theauthentication succeeds (Step S3350; No→Step S3330).

4.2.3 About Mode to End Process Using Multifunction Peripheral 90 whenNumber of Times Improper Authentication Information has been Input isEqual to or More Than Limit

The mode to end the process using the multifunction peripheral 90 andlimit the output of the job when the number of times the improperauthentication information has been input is equal to or more than thelimit will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 27 . The processdescribed in FIG. 27 is a process obtained by adding the process todetermine whether the number of times the authentication information hasbeen input is equal to or more than the limit between the process atStep S3330 and the process at Step S3340 described in FIG. 26 .

In the same manner as in the mode described in FIG. 26 , when it isdetermined that the authentication has failed, the controller 11 returnsto the process at Step S3330 and determines whether the authenticationinformation has been input by the user (Step S3350; No→Step S3330).

When it is determined that the authentication information has beeninput, the controller 11 determines whether the number of times theauthentication information has been input is equal to or more than apredetermined limit (Step S3330; Yes→Step S3360).

When it is determined that the number of times the authenticationinformation has been input is equal to or more than the predeterminedlimit, the controller 11 ends the process by the multifunctionperipheral 90 (Step S3360; Yes→“end”).

When it is determined that the number of times the authenticationinformation has been input is less than the predetermined limit, thecontroller 11 receives the input authentication information (Step S3360;No→Step S3340).

When the input authentication information is received, the controller 11performs the authentication process for the received authenticationinformation (Step S3340→Step S3350).

When it is determined that the authentication is successful, thecontroller 11 ends the login process (Step S3350; Yes). Then, thecontroller 11 proceeds to the process at Step S230 in FIG. 25 .

Conversely, when it is determined that the authentication has failed,the controller 11 returns to the process at Step S3330 (Step S3350;No→Step S3330).

4.2.4 About Mode to Limit Device Function of Multifunction Peripheral 90when Authentication Result Indicates Unauthenticated

The mode to limit the device function of the multifunction peripheral 90when the authentication result indicates unauthenticated will bedescribed using the flowchart in FIG. 28 . The process described in FIG.28 is obtained by adding the process to determine that the devicefunction of the multifunction peripheral 90 is to be limited when thecontroller 11 determines that the authentication has failed during theauthentication process at Step S3350 described in FIG. 26 .

Here, device function limitation refers to limiting the function that issupposed to be executable by the multifunction peripheral 90, such asjob execution for a specific type of job, e.g., copy, scan, fax, ande-mail, reference to history information, and change in the operationmode, to limit the device function executable by the user who isdetermined to be unauthenticated. For example, the job execution itselfof a specific type of job, such as fax and e-mail, may be limited as thetarget for device function limitation, or some functions included in thejob may be designated as the target of function limitation. When it isdetermined that the device function is to be limited, the controller 11limits the target device function.

At Step S3350, when it is determined that the authentication has failed,the controller 11 determines that the device function is to be limitedand ends the process (Step S3350; No→Step 3370). Also, when it isdetermined that the authentication mode is disabled at Step S3310, thecontroller 11 determines that the device function is to be limited andends the process (Step S3310; No→Step 3370). When limiting the devicefunction, the controller 11 may display, on the display 13, a messageindicating that the device function is limited as the authenticationmode is disabled or the authentication has failed.

The login processes described in [4.2.2], [4.2.3], and [4.2.4] above maybe performed independently or in combination. For example, during thelogin process described in [4.2.4], it is possible to have aconfiguration such that it is determined that the device function is tobe limited when the number of times the authentication information hasbeen input is equal to or more than the predetermined limit. It is alsopossible to select whether to end the process by the multifunctionperipheral 90 or to determine that the device function is to be limitedwhen the number of times the authentication information has been inputis equal to or more than the predetermined limit.

4.3 Operation Example

Next, an operation example according to the fourth embodiment will bedescribed. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example ofa login screen W90 presented on the display 13 when the controller 11reads the authentication program 911.

The login screen W90 includes a login user name input box Bx10, a loginpassword input box Bx12, a login button B36, and a cancel button B38.

The login user name input box Bx10 is a box that receives the input ofthe login user name of the user who attempts to log into themultifunction peripheral 90.

The login password input box Bx12 is a box that receives the input ofthe login password associated with the login user name of the user whoattempts to log into the multifunction peripheral 90.

The login button B36 is a button that receives the instruction forconfirming the content input to the login user name input box Bx10 andthe login password input box Bx12 by the user. The cancel button B38 isa button that receives the input of the instruction for cancelling thelogin process. The user inputs the login user name in the login username input box Bx10 and the login password in the login password inputbox Bx12 and then selects the login button B36 so as to input theinstruction for executing the login process.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating another mode of the login screen. Alogin screen W100 includes a selection button display area R40 thatdisplays selection buttons assigned to the respective users who attemptto log into the multifunction peripheral 90.

The selection buttons illustrated in the selection button display areaR40 are created as icons for the respective users based on the user'sauthentication information (e.g., the login user name, the e-mailaddress, and the login password) registered via a user addition/editingscreen (not illustrated).

A user who attempts to log into the multifunction peripheral 90 selectsthe icon (selection button) representing him or her. The loginauthentication may then be performed by inputting the login password viathe login password input screen (not illustrated) that is displayed byselecting the icon. By selecting the icon representing the user, thelogin screen W100 may eliminate the need to input the login user nameand perform the login process easily and quickly.

FIG. 31 illustrates a configuration example of a display screen W110that is presented on the display 13 by the multifunction peripheral 90.This operation example corresponds to Step S250 in FIG. 25 . The displayscreen W110 may have the same configuration as that of the displayscreen W10 according to the first embodiment, but is different from thedisplay screen W10 in that a login user name display area R42 isincluded. FIG. 31 illustrates an example in which a user having thelogin user name “user G” has successfully logged into the multifunctionperipheral 90. The login user name display area R42 is configured as aselection button to enable logout from the multifunction peripheral 90.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating another mode of the display screenthat is presented on the display 13 by the multifunction peripheral 90.FIG. 32 illustrates an example in which a display screen W112 isdisplayed on the home screen W20 in a superimposed manner, unlike theexample in FIG. 31 . In this case, the controller 11 grays out theentire home screen W20 to prevent the user from accidentally selectingthe job/function selection button B12 on the home screen W20.

As illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 32 , the login user name of the user whohas logged into the multifunction peripheral 90 may be displayed on thescreen such as the display screen W110 or the display screen W112, andtherefore the user who reads the device information may recognize thelogin user who has logged into the multifunction peripheral 90.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a homescreen W22 presented on the display 13 by the controller 11 due to theselection of the close button B10 on the display screen W110 illustratedin FIG. 31 or the display screen W112 illustrated in FIG. 32 . The homescreen W22 may have the same configuration as that of the home screenW20 illustrated in FIG. 13 , but is different from the home screen W20in that the login user name display area R42 is included. When the closebutton B10 of the display screen W112 illustrated in FIG. 32 isselected, the login user name display area R42 displayed on the displayscreen W112 is continuously displayed on the home screen W22. Thus, withthe configuration in which the login user name display area R42 iscontinuously displayed in response to the screen transition from thedisplay screen to the home screen, the user may properly recognize thelogin user name of the user who has logged into the multifunctionperipheral 90 even when the user desires to execute the job via thenormal home screen without using the output method according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a messagedisplay area R44 in which the controller 11 makes a notification whenthe number of times the improper authentication information has beeninput is equal to or more than the limit.

The controller 11 may end the process by the multifunction peripheral 90and limit the output of the job when the number of times the improperauthentication information has been input is equal to or more than thelimit. Here, the controller 11 displays, on the home screen W20, amessage such as “as inputs are more than the limit, remote operation isdisabled.” so as to notify the user that the process by themultifunction peripheral 90 has ended. Here, in order to emphasize thefact that the job/function selection button B12 is not selectable, thebutton may be grayed out.

FIG. 35 illustrates a configuration example of a display screen W114displayed by the controller 11 when the authentication result indicatesunauthenticated and the device function of the multifunction peripheral90 is limited. This operation example corresponds to Step S3370 in FIG.28 . The display screen W114 may have the same configuration as that ofthe display screen W10 according to the first embodiment, but isdifferent from the display screen W10 in that a function limit displayarea R46 is included to indicate that the device function is beinglimited.

Here, the controller 31 of the terminal device 30 may display, on thedisplay 33, a modal M20 indicating a message that the device function ofthe multifunction peripheral 90 is being limited, as illustrated in FIG.36 . In this case, the multifunction peripheral 90 generates the deviceinformation including the message that the device function is beinglimited. The controller 31 of the terminal device 30 may read the deviceinformation to determine that the device function of the multifunctionperipheral 90 is being limited.

The modal M20 displays, for the user, a message such as “some functionsare limited. Execute a job?” indicating that some (or all) functions ofthe multifunction peripheral 90 are being limited. The user selects aYes button when there is no problem in executing the job even thoughsome functions are being limited. On the other hand, to cancel thecontinuation of the job, the user selects the cancel button. Here, asillustrated in the example of FIG. 36 , the modal M20 may include areceiver that receives the instruction for referring to the limitedfunctions (e.g., a “check limited functions” button).

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition tothe effect of the first embodiment, the output of the job may becontrolled based on the user authentication result.

5 Another Mode

In the configuration described according to the first embodiment, eitherthe copy job or the scan job is selectable via the application screen ofthe terminal device 30. Here, a description is given of another modewhen jobs other than a copy job and a scan job are selected. Here, otherjobs are for example jobs other than a copy job and a scan job, are notparticularly limited as long as the jobs may be set via the applicationscreen, and examples thereof include a scan save job and a fax job.

The process of the terminal device 30 according to another mode will bedescribed using FIG. 37 . The process of the terminal device 30according to another mode is obtained by replacing the process fromSteps S420 to S440 described in the flowchart of FIG. 10 with Steps S420a to S445. The process that may be the same as that in FIG. 10 isdenoted by the same step number and the description thereof is omitted.

The controller 31 determines whether a copy job has been selected by theuser via the application screen (Step S420 a). When it is determinedthat a copy job has been selected by the user, the controller 31displays the copy job execution screen on the display 33 (Step S420 a;Yes→Step S430). Conversely, when it is determined that a copy job hasnot been selected by the user, the controller 31 determines whether ascan job has been selected (Step S420 a; No→Step S420 b).

When it is determined that a scan job has been selected by the user, thecontroller 31 displays the scan job execution screen on the display 33(Step S420 b; Yes→Step S440). Conversely, when it is determined that ascan job has not been selected by the user, the controller 31 determineswhether other jobs have been selected (Step S420 b; No→Step S420 c)

When it is determined that other jobs have been selected by the user,the controller 31 displays the other job execution screen on the display33 (Step S420 c; Yes→Step S445). Conversely, when it is determined thatother jobs have not been selected by the user, the controller 31 returnsto the process at Step S410 and display the application screen (StepS420 c; No→Step S410).

The controller 31 receives the input of the setting value via any of thecopy job execution screen displayed at Step S430, the scan job executionscreen displayed at Step S440, and the other job execution screendisplayed at Step S445 (Step S450). Then, the controller 31 stores thereceived setting value in the setting value storage area 419 (StepS460). The process after Step S470 may be performed in the same manneras in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 38 illustrates a configuration example of an application screen W55that is presented on the display 33 after receiving the instruction forstarting the job application from the user. The application screen W55may have the same configuration as that of the application screen W50(for example, FIG. 16 ) according to the first embodiment, but isdifferent from the application screen W50 in that a selector (athree-point reader L10) is included to receive the selection of otherjobs. Although the three-point reader L10 is illustrated in FIG. 38 asthe selector that receives the selection of other jobs, the selector isnot limited to the three-point reader L10 as long as it is configured toallow the selection of executable jobs via the application screen W50.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a menu display areaR48 displayed by the controller 31 in response to the selection of thethree-point reader L10 on the application screen W55 in FIG. 38 .

In response to the instruction for selecting the three-point reader L10,the controller 31 displays a job selection button B40 (a scan save jobselection button in the example of FIG. 39 ) for the job that isexecutable via the application screen W55. In this case, the controller31 expands the display area of the menu display area R20, in which thecopy job selection button B20 and the scan job selection button B22 maybe displayed, to a menu display area R48 illustrated in FIG. 39 and thendisplays the job selection button B40.

As described above, according to another mode, jobs other than a copyjob and a scan job may be selected via the application screen, andtherefore the types of executable jobs may be expanded.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments,and various modifications may be made. That is, the technical scope ofthe present invention also includes embodiments that may be obtained bycombining technical measures that are modified as appropriate withoutdeparting from the gist of the present invention.

Although some of the above embodiments are described separately forconvenience of explanation, it is needless to say that they may becombined and implemented within a technically allowable range.

The program operated on each device according to the embodiment is aprogram that controls the CPU, or the like (program that causes thecomputer to function) so as to perform the function according to theabove-described embodiment. According to the embodiment, it is assumedthat the device simultaneously executes a plurality of programs asneeded by multitask processing. The information handled by these devicesis temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (e.g., RAM) duringthe processing, is then stored in various storage devices such as a readonly memory (ROM) and an HDD, and is read, corrected, and written by theCPU as needed.

Here, a recording medium storing the program may be any of asemiconductor medium (e.g., a ROM or a non-volatile memory card), anoptical recording medium/magneto-optical recording medium (e.g., adigital versatile disc (DVD), a magneto optical disc (MO), a mini disc(MD), a compact disc (CD), and a Blue-ray disc (BD) (registeredtrademark)), and a magnetic recording medium (e.g., a magnetic tape, anda flexible disk). The functions according to the above-describedembodiment are performed by executing the loaded program, and also thefunctions according to the present invention may be performed byprocessing in cooperation with an operating system, other applicationprograms or the like, based on the instruction of the program.

For market distribution, the program may be stored and distributed in aportable recording medium or transferred to a server computer connectedvia a network such as the Internet. In this case, it is needless to saythat the present invention also includes a storage device of the servercomputer.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing device comprising: acontroller; a device information generator that generates deviceinformation including identification information of the image processingdevice; and a job executor that executes a job based on settinginformation for job execution received from a terminal device, whereinthe controller displays the generated device information and, based onthe setting information for job execution received from the terminaldevice that reads the displayed device information, controls the jobexecutor to execute the job, the controller acquires the settinginformation sent from the terminal device via a network service, and thecontroller executes an automatic logout when the setting information isnot acquired from the network service for a certain period of time aftera user login and while an authentication mode is enabled, the jobincludes any of a copy job, a scan job, a print job, or a fax job. 2.The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the controllerdisplays the device information at any time during a device startupperiod, a recovery from a sleep mode, an auto clear, and the user loginwhen the authentication mode is enabled during the user login.
 3. Theimage processing device according to claim 1, wherein the controllerperiodically sends, to the network service, a request to acquire thesetting information corresponding to the identification information. 4.The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the deviceinformation is encoded using one or more of a quick response code, abarcode, a symbol, and an alphanumeric.